Obama's Shoes: A Historical Comparison

DailyKos has an image up, pulled from a collection of photos by Callie Shell, of Barack Obama reclining at a table, wearing shoes with holes in the soles. Naturally, the left-leaning blog makes a broad comparison to the RNC-funded fashion show that Sarah Palin has been putting on as she travels the campaign trail. Of course, the first comparison that springs to my mind is probably one that the Obama campaign would liken to the old theatrical superstition of saying the name "Macbeth" in a theatre - fellow Illinois political figure Adlai Stevenson.

Stevenson was the subject of a photograph taken by Bill Gallagher of the Flint Journal, in which the presidential contender was captured with similar holes in his shoes. That photograph earned Gallager a Pulitzer Prize in 1953, and Stevenson got himself a statue with the iconic shoe-holes at the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington. But it didn't translate into an electoral win for Stevenson, a historical note that I'm guessing Obama would prefer not to repeat.

Comments

[Hare]

How many miles have the man in those moccasins walked? These will end up in the Smithsonian

[Hare]

oops, I meant, has he walked

[YvonneH]

Just one of the things I love... this little fact that Obama wears shoes with holes in them. It just makes him so more normal...................

[mesut]

What impresses me about that shot is he knows his shoes are worn and doesn't care if every one knows it. He can probably remember every day, week, month and not to mention every state he's stomped in those shoes. Seems they have served him well. He probably looks at them and says "these are still a good pair of shoes. what's' wrong with them?"

[thebluecrayon]

Hey you know what if those shoes have gotten him this far, they certainly can last two more weeks. Obama can worry about getting new shoes in November. I say go with the comfortable ones he has till then.

Just goes to show you Obama's had 2 to 3 times the events that McCain has had and it certainly shows in his shoes.

[Sneakerous]

I love these pictures, the ones in the link posted - are there any other websites you guys know of that have similar pictures/captions of Obama on the campaign trail? Some of the pictures, like Obama in the elevator after getting the party nom and the shoes on the table are really iconic. If anyone could link more of anything similar, I'd appreciate it.

[lioness99]

Not much help, but Newsweek articles from Spring 08 had great photos.

[ILikeH00ters]

I am going to spin this like a republican:

Barack Obama is part of the reason why the economy is bad. If he had bought new shoes, that would have helped his local shoe store. The store could have invested the shoe money in stocks. Companies like AIG, Leeman Bros and Bear stearn would not have collapsed. By spending money on Palin's wardrobe and Cindy's wardrobe, McCain actually helped this economy. He knows how to fix this mess.

[Knowitall]

Nice Try. Obama's been busy.

[SgtLucifer]

Quite impressive ! You should run for Congress as a Republican. You'll have no problems with Talking Points.

[thebluecrayon]

Breaking News: Obama's shoes are anti-American. If only he had bought new shoes, we wouldn't have to spend 700 billion dollars to bailout the banks.

[Kingbreaker]

It is elitist to save money!

It is elitist to be too poor to afford new shoes!

Black is white!

Night is Day!

[psychmaj323]

LOL, that was a good one!

[mafina]

Obama says it's not what's under my sole, it's what is in my soul.

[dorothyinatlanta]

dct1999, you are so funny! I feel you bro! Obama sure needs some new shoes!!

[dct1999]

Finally, somebody who understands! LMAO.

[TKI]

http://conservativesforchange.com/

[lioness99]

Awesome!!!!

[dct1999]

Obama is my man, but he really needs to buy some shoes. This man and his team have revolutionized the way politicians use the internet. Why don't they know how to shop on-line? Somebody please buy Barack some shoes, the brother needs some help!

[nomobull]

they've been broke in. and are good and comfortable which is probably important when you're on your feet all day.

[JustSteve]

I agree. I have a pair like that....

but... ummm... I fixed mine...

Somebody in the Obama Camp, come on, take Barack's shoes away from him and get them re-soled!!!

[lunarmagpie]

He's got his priorities is all, and he's been a busy guy -- my dad was like that, too -- he could afford to buy all the clothes he wanted, but he figured he didn't have time to spend on that sort of thing when there were fields to plow and fruit to harvest.

i imagine Mr. O will start putting some time into shopping for clothes after the election, when he and the Missus are going to have to start getting fancied up for some of those big White House affairs... that's what i'm hoping, anyway... :o)

[Hare]

Michelle are you listening? I buy my hubby his clothes. He has 0 interest in buying anything and he would look disheveled otherwise.

[Kate4Change]

Obama is such a spend thrift, won't even get himself a pair of new shoes. Gee.. Obama, tell me what size shoe you are, I'll send you a new pair!

There is no comparison between financial conservative Obama and big spender Palin. Hmmm.... who do I trust more with my taxpayer dollars? I think that will be OBAMA!!!

Go Obama!!! You have my vote.

[gvc]

12. He says so in the infamous bowling video.

[kellygrrrl]

The Obamas are the most fiscally and socially conservative family in this whole deal

[Joeblue]

Mrs. Obama looks so much better in her 35.00 dollar dress then anything that failin palin wears.

[kellygrrrl]

can't buy class!

[JustSteve]

Or Cindy McSame for that matter.

[SgtLucifer]

Jezzuz Christ !!! The man's campaign pulled in $150 million last month, and his 2007 tax return says he made $4 million last year. Couldn't he at least spring $47.99 at the local Hyde Park Payless Shoe store? Or borrow $50 from Sarah the Shopaholic.

[dbawden]

It reminds me of a song that just seems to fit by Grace Jones,

"Now I’m gonna to spread the news,
That if it feels this good gettin’ used
Keep on using me ‘til you’ve used me up."

[dct1999]

Bill Withers wrote and recorded that song back in the 70s.